Do drop-in hold down clamps for bench holes hold?

[Jonathan Jung]

Anyone used the Bessey TW20-15-8KLI-SET? Looks to be a great solution, if they hold well. I drilled 20mm holes in my Omga radial arm saw for clamping odd pieces. All my track clamps would work, but there's struts under the MDF top that hinder certain positions.

https://www.amazon.de/-/en/Clamping-element-multifunctional-TW20-15-8KLI-SET-clamping/dp/B0C86F579C/ref=sr_1_8?crid=3JRL0D71J4QY5&keywords=bessey+clamp&qid=1699234792&sprefix=bessey+cl%2Caps%2C238&sr=8-8

Does this style of clamp hold well? I know that bench dog-style clamps, or drop-in clamps, have been around a while. But do they work ok even in MDF?

They don't seem available in the US, and there's only 1 review on the amazon.de site. They would be about $41 USD ea shipped.

509934509935

[Johnny Barr]

I use these .... https://armor-tool.com/product/auto-adjust-p7-hh-horizontal-dog-peg-clamp/ (small rod) and these .... https://au.banggood.com/VEIKO-2PCS-Alloy-Steel-Upgrade-Quick-Ratchet-Track-Saw-Guide-Rail-Clamp-MFT-Clamp-for-MFT-Table-and-Guide-Rail-System-Woodworking-Clamp-p-1894619.html?utm_source=googleshopping&utm_medium=cpc_organic&gmcCountry=AU&utm_content=minha&utm_campaign=aceng-pmax-au-en-pc&currency=AUD&cur_warehouse=CN&createTmp=1&utm_source=googleshopping&utm_medium=cpc_us&utm_campaign=aceng-PLA-AU-all-220415-massa&utm_content=massa&ad_id=593197213431&gclid=Cj0KCQjw-pyqBhDmARIsAKd9XIN-3dYYiMPpXVGgl6CD1L_wDVueSJpSC19nm7GtlKWczgYlZLqrNe EaAte_EALw_wcB

They hold perfectly but the ones you use look like they wont.

[Jim Becker]

These largely work on the same principle as traditional hold-fasts in that they are designed such that clamping them down exerts lateral pressure on the post which then uses friction to stay in place. The advantage to this type of hold down clamp is the easy clamp and release. There are multiple products on the market here in North America that are similar to those Bessey products. If memory serves and without looking it up, Lee Valley may have a version and there are other types from Kreg and other names that generally use the same principles. It appears that the Bessey is engineered to work well in thinner table tops such as the MFT whereas traditional hold fasts prefer a much deeper hole to grip with.

[Jonathan Jung]

I've never used the ones in the link, that's why I'm asking. They would need to hold securely during operating the saw; they can't come undone or loosen with vibration.

[Mark W Pugh]

I've used this type for years, and never had one release. https://www.amazon.com/DCT-Bench-Holdfast-Woodworking-Tools/dp/B07SSH37D6/ref=asc_df_B07SSH37D6/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=385272107002&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7022544206061907870&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9015931&hvtargid=pla-825766218191&psc=1&mcid=ba5d1441d41b3824a28787c85bf94022&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=78829231656&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=385272107002&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7022544206061907870&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9015931&hvtargid=pla-825766218191&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_p6mu-W_ggMV80lHAR3VyAFHEAQYHSABEgI1K_D_BwE

[Aaron Inami]

I actually use these in my MFT most of the time because they are quick and hold very well:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BMVXF9QZ/

[Jonathan Jung]

Would you trust them in a situation like I've got, holding a piece down for a crosscut, without use of the fence? The workpiece would be kept in place solely by the clamps.

[Mark W Pugh]

Yes on the ones I posted above. I've used them for cutting, routing, and everything else. If they move, you're probably doing something you shouldn't.

[Michael Burnside]

I'll probably get grief for mentioning this, but Harvey makes a phenomenal clamp that works with either miter or dog holes. They aren't cheap, but if you watch for sales you can get them for about 130. I have two and they are very nice, being able to clamp something quite thin to 4+". They also have an M8 thread at the end, so I've adapted one for use on any standard miter slot, which makes them handy for crosscut sleds, table saw/router miter, bench work, etc. The other is used on my saw slider, which I find invaluable for big piece cuts.

[Aaron Inami]

These clamps actually have a LOT of holding power and they are extremely quick to setup and clamp. I can use two clamps to hold down material and it won't move when I give it a good yank. If you are concerned about movement, you can use the pole as a back-stop for the material:

510338


If you are cutting a narrow piece, use a spacer (but I honestly don't think you will need one):
510339

Or you can get the TSO ring collars as a spacer as well:
https://tsoproducts.com/bench-dogs/ujk-parf-dogs/ujk-20mm-parf-dog-stop-collars-set-of-2/

I would recommend getting a couple sets of these clamps at a minimum. I use them a LOT.

[Aaron Inami]

A couple more examples using the clamp as a back-stop for narrow material:

510340 510341

[Jim Becker]

Would you trust them in a situation like I've got, holding a piece down for a crosscut, without use of the fence? The workpiece would be kept in place solely by the clamps.
They are specifically designed to exert lateral pressure in the dog hole that makes them pretty darn stable, just like a traditional holdfast.